Greet Spring in America’s Greenest City!

There is still time to sign up for the Region III meeting at Navy Pier on March 14th in conjunction with the Chicago Home & Flower Show; the early bird registration has been extended to February 28th with a final registration deadline of March 6th.

It’s not too late to order your review copy. Simply contact Chloe or Paul at St. Lynn’s Press.

If you love or like it, please be sure to post a review on Amazon and/or send us a link to your mention of the book so we can cross promote!

#Fine Foliage #WhoNeedsFlowers #Foliage Rules

Flowers are fantastic but colorful foliage is a constant that bridges the gap between favorite flowering times.

Old Fashioned Smoke Bush is more compact in habit and provides purple flushed new growth in the spring followed by blue-gray mature leaves having a ‘Eucalyptus’ look before turning fluorescent shades of pink, orange and red in the fall.

Don’t Just Take Our Word For It!

“I am always on the hunt for easy care shrubs that cope with less than perfect soil, delinquent deer, full sun and only occasional watering. They also have to look fabulous for at least three seasons and – most important – have outstanding foliage. ‘Old Fashioned’ Smoke Bush PBR (Cotinus coggygria ‘Old Fashioned’ PP19035) does all this and much more.

This is no ordinary green leaved plant! The cool blue-green tones blend with every other color in the garden from fiery reds to cool silver. It can be a soothing note amid a riotous color scheme or a specimen in its own right. I planted mine where the evening sun can shine through the foliage adding a unique luminous quality to the garden. Simply breathtaking.”

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]]>http://www.upshoothort.com/blog/garden-writers-enews-greet-spring-with-the-chicago-home-flower-show/feed/0Madison Public Libraryhttp://www.upshoothort.com/events/upcoming-event/madison-public-library/
http://www.upshoothort.com/events/upcoming-event/madison-public-library/#commentsTue, 24 Feb 2015 21:55:19 +0000http://www.upshoothort.com/?p=11108April 22, 20157 pmMadison Public LibraryOn topic: Garden-pedia: An A – Z Guide to Gardening Terms
]]>http://www.upshoothort.com/events/upcoming-event/madison-public-library/feed/0Once Again, Calling Out My Favoriteshttp://www.upshoothort.com/blog/once-again-calling-out-my-favorites-for-2015/
http://www.upshoothort.com/blog/once-again-calling-out-my-favorites-for-2015/#commentsSat, 21 Feb 2015 16:31:46 +0000http://www.upshoothort.com/?p=11074[MORE]]]>A you know by now, new plants are the core foundation of my business. It is safe to say that new plants pretty much occupy my mind much of the time. I love talking about what’s new whether it is a plant I represent or someone else’s. If it is an interesting new plant, well, it is worth talking about! I am fortunate to have such a wonderful platform, for the third time, to share what I find to be the best new plants for the year. Over thee years my pick for best new plants have appear in the northern State-by-State garden magazines. My picks also appear in online newsletters, such as the Missouri Gardner newsletter. You can read my article, Sizzling New Plants for 2015, here!
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http://www.upshoothort.com/blog/feb-enews-romance-blooms-in-february/#commentsSat, 14 Feb 2015 01:43:40 +0000http://www.upshoothort.com/?p=11049[MORE]]]>

Go Red in the Garden

February might be white in most of the country, but it is also an important month for the color red.

Of course Valentine’s Day happens on the 14th where a bouquet of red roses and/or a red box of chocolates are the traditional gift of choice.

But, this month also promotes the Go Red For Women campaign by the American Heart Association. 1 in 3 women die of heart disease and stroke but it can be prevented. As someone whose family, both women and men, have experienced its fair share of heart disease and related illnesses, we thought it appropriate to talk about how gardening can help you live a more heart-healthy lifestyle.

Make a Change

Last January our enews focused on “Gardening for a New You” and how it can help you lose weight, get fit, eat healthier and manage stress. Gardening is actually listed as one of the suggested ways to exercise and get fit by the Go Red for Women editors!

And of course, we all know that fresh fruits and vegetables are a key ingredient for a healthy diet. The site informs you about planning meals based around in-season produce, whether you buy it from a local farmer or better yet, you grow it yourself and get double the benefit!

Keeping it Red

As we head in to spring, think about red in your garden or landscape. Its color evokes passion, love, joy, and excitement and it can be dramatic when planted in mass. It can also draw visitors eyes away from not so nice areas, having them focus on features you want to stand out.

Speaking of the color red, we love Pacific Brilliance Pin Oak for multiple reasons including its stunning scarlet red and orange fall color. Unlike the species and other cultivars, this selected native has an upright habit with smaller and fewer acorns.

Don’t Just Take OurWord for It

“This is just one of the best Pin Oak’s I’ve ever seen! I am very impressed with Pacific Brilliance’s semi-upright fast growth habit and shiny slick leaves. They caliper quickly while maintaining a symmetrical head. It makes a great street planting tree due to the fact that the bottom branches don’t weep like native Pin Oaks. They will also make excellent shade trees as they don’t spread wide.”

Love Me aGood Read

Valentine’s Day is only two days away but there is still time to get your gardening love the perfect gift!

If you’re looking for a wicked and fun read, I suggest Helen Yoest’s “Plants with Benefits.”Who knew plants and veggies could be sexy good? After just a few pages you’ll need to wipe the sweat from your brows! This is a perfect “50 Shades of Green” book; the growing tips and recipes are the icing on top.

Garden Hearts by Felder Rushing celebrates the universal symbol of love, the heart shape, as it appears in the landscape via plants, designs or garden art.